A Simple Mistake Turns Costly

Jacqueline Jossa, known to millions as Lauren Branning on EastEnders, has been handed a speeding conviction and ordered to pay more than £1,400 after failing to respond to a police notice. The incident dates back to February when the 32-year-old was caught driving at 59mph in a 50mph zone while crossing the Dartford Crossing in her BMW.

Jossa later explained that she never saw the letter from Essex Police because it had become lodged at the bottom of her postbox. The oversight meant she missed the chance to resolve the issue by paying a fine or attending a speed awareness course.

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Jossa’s Apology to the Court

The actress pleaded guilty to speeding under the Single Justice Procedure, a process that allows minor offences to be handled through written evidence rather than a full hearing. In her online statement, Jossa admitted her mistake and offered her apologies:

“I was travelling with the traffic and failed to notice my speed had drifted up while the limit dropped just before the tunnel. By the way, apologies for this being late — the letter got stuck in the bottom of my postbox and I’ve only just found it.”

At Colchester Magistrates’ Court last week, she was fined £923, ordered to pay £120 in court costs, and given a £369 victim surcharge, bringing the total to £1,412. She also received three penalty points on her driving licence.

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A Familiar Face in Walford

Jacqueline Jossa first appeared on EastEnders in 2010, quickly becoming a fan favourite for her portrayal of Lauren Branning. After leaving the soap in 2018, she went on to win I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in 2021 before returning to EastEnders in 2023 for her second stint on the Square.

Off-screen, she’s married to former reality TV star Dan Osborne, and together they share two children. Despite the recent setback, fans continue to rally behind Jossa, praising her honesty and down-to-earth response to the incident.